SANTA BARBARA FLYFISHERS

PRESIDENT'S POST

SANTA BARBARA FLYFISHERS - JULY 2026

san francisco stripers

Many of us fish our local beaches for perch, halibut, sharks and the prize of the surf, corbina. We have Joseph, Sam and Lew to thank for increased interest in fly fishing our south county beaches as they've held monthly fly fishing clinics at Second Salt Saturday every month at Rincon Beach. The Club has gear to lend and Joseph and his team are there to provide instruction and support. Our local beaches are usually home to sand crabs and structure like troughs and holes that attract our target species. We use 6 and 7 weight rods with 250 to 300 grain sinking line and 8 to 12 pound leaders and size 4 to 8 shrimp, crab or baitfish imitations. Sometimes we cope with an onshore breeze, some overcast and 3 to 4 foot swells. Life on the beach for us when compared to casting streamers to bass in Lake Cachuma or nymphs and dries to trout in the Eastern Sierras. On the morning of June 25 eleven club members trekked north to San Francisco. For the first time ever, the Club held an outing to target striped bass on its beaches. We checked into the Seal Rock Inn, located in the Northwest corner of the City, then drove across town to Lost Coast Outfitters fly shop. While there we bought flies, supples, lines and other "candy" from the "candy" store. The shop rats (this is how the owner, George Revel refers to them) were extremely helpful and provided the latest intel on where and when to fish. San Francisco proper has two distinct beach opportunities; Ocean Beach to Fort Funston Beach on the Pacific and Chrissy Field in the Northeast part just inside the bay from Fort Point to the St. Francis Yacht Club. While both beats are subject to swells, tides, currents and wind, the later has much smaller surf conditions and less viable/evident structure. We spent most of our three days at Chrissy Field because the 15 mph westerlies kept us off Ocean Beach. We did fish the Beach on Friday and Sunday mornings. And when we did fish, the sessions were not long, up to four hours as conditions changed. We used 7 to 8 weight single and double-handed rods with 300 to 420 grain heads and 3 to 5 foot sections of 20-25 pound test leader attached to size 1 to 2/0 clousers and deceivers. The hot fly is the Adachi Clouser, a baitfish pattern imitating a smelt or anchovy. I never fished for stripers so there was much to learn. First stripers in the surf is sort of like swinging for steelhead in the rivers. The stripers are always moving, searching for food, like the steelhead are moving up river to spawn or down to get back to the ocean. A beach like Ocean has more evident structure, much more than we find at our local beaches. Troughs, sand bars and rips are much larger than we see locally. These troughs can stretch along the beach for a hundred yards or more and, depending on the tides, and can get relatively deep pretty close to shore. The stripers will move into and out of these troughs. This allows for a 70 to 80 foot casts. Stripers in the surf is very challenging, just like corbina in our local surf, except we can sight fish to beans. Stripers don't chase the foam, unlike like the corbina moving in and out with the foam searching and feeding on sand crabs and worms, unless there are schools of bait. So blind casting into the surf is required. Chris Hortinela caught the only striper of the trip at Chrissy Field on a 1/0 Adachi Clouser in black and white. A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club clubhouse and ponds in Golden Gate Park and hosted by George Revel. Club members were on hand to prepare a grilled cheeseburgers that would rival any burger made anywhere. We were able to cast into the ponds and get a demo by George on the double-haul and a two handed surf cast. I rated the trip as outstanding. How could that be with only catching one striper? When I consider the urban setting with the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the downtown skyline or the miles of beach with structure galore, the fly shop, the casting ponds in the park, the dining, and more importantly the company of fellow club members, this was worth the effort.

Add to all of this he possibility of catching a 30 pound striper in the surf, I'm in!

Club BBQ August 15

Once again we'll hold our annual BBQ at Rancho Embarcadero Clubhouse in way out west Goleta. We'll have casting contests, raffles and a live auction for cool stuff donated by members and Patagonia. This year the club will have a caterer prepare and serve the meal and all the fixings. If you wish, you can bring your favorite beverage and a desert. Please register at our website by logging in, Calendar, then August 15 Club BBQ. This will open the Events-Event View page, then click the Register Here. Please be sure to register you and your guest. This will help us get a head count to order food.

last cast

We will not hold an August meeting, but we'll be back on September 8. This will be a special meeting and focus on conservation and efforts to Save Santa Barbara Steelhead. We're also giving consideration to sharing more about Spey casting. For those unfamiliar, this involves a longer rod, up to 14 feet and the use of both hands to cast. It's highly effective on larger rivers. I used a Spey rod when casting for stripers in San Francisco last month. Please let me know if you're interested in learning more.

All in all --- Go fishing!

MONTHLY EVENTS

• Monthly Meeting
• Second Salt Saturday
• Monthly Casting Clinic
• Board Meeting

CONSERVATION

Save Santa Barbara Steelhead - A Campaign to Save Our Local Fish

Author, Dr. Mark Rockwell, D.C.

* * *

"No Hot Creek Mine" is leading the fight to protect Mammoth Lakes from gold mining.

* * *

• Dr. Mark Rockwell, D.C.
• Fly Fishers International Conservation
• Santa Barbara FF Conservation Chair
• mrockwell1945@gmail.com
• 530 559-5759 (cell)

MONTHLY MEETING - tuesday, july 7, 2026

5:30-9:00pm

MINI-CLASS:

Knot Tying & Casting Instruction

captain bruce chard

Florida, Bahamas, & Flats Primer

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION In June we marveled at the subtleties and delicacy of presenting tiny dry flies to golden trout in the stunning far reaches of the Eastern Sierra. Our July presentation takes us to the other extreme of fly fishing where tarpon, permit and bonefish challenge our ability to cast heavy flies to fickle fish in windy conditions. Flats fishing is by any measure the Major Leagues of the sport, known for its addicted and obsessive devotees. Enter a world where the lightest rod will be an eight weight and you might be lucky enough to cast to a tarpon that matches your own body weight. Think too of wading for hours in crystal clear tropical water and casting to schools of tailing bonefish – the perfect blend of hunting and fishing. Saltwater flats can be found in the Florida Keys, Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula, Belize, the Seychelles and Christmas Island. Anglers try for the grand slam of bonefish, permit and tarpon in one fishing day. Throw in a snook for the Super Slam. Guiding is from a two angler skiff or panga capable of high speeds and able to operate in inches of water. Flats guides are a special breed, seasoned by hours spent atop a poling platform praying that their hurried verbal directions will lead their client to the fish of their dreams. These species live in a scenic paradise that will come alive in a fast paced dynamic presentation that might just make you want to give it a try.

About BRUCE CHARD

Capt. Bruce Chard Professional Fly Fishing Guide & Instructor Captain Bruce Chard has dedicated over 34 years to mastering and teaching the art of saltwater fly fishing. A full-time guide in the Florida Keys since 1992, Bruce specializes in sight fishing for bonefish, tarpon, and permit—earning recognition as one of the most respected guides and casting instructors in the industry. At just 23, Bruce became a Fly Fishers International (FFI) Master Certified Casting Instructor, and soon after founded one of the world’s most recognized international saltwater fly-fishing schools. His schools and hosted trips have taken anglers to premier destinations across Belize, Mexico, the Bahamas, the United States, Guatemala, Canada, Argentina, Christmas Island, the Seychelles, and beyond. As a lifelong ambassador of the sport, Bruce has proudly partnered with many of fly fishing’s most respected brands—including Scientific Anglers, Airflo, G. Loomis, Hatch, Simms, Costa, Regal, Gamakatsu, YETI, Riversmith, Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures, and Nervous Waters Lodges. Celebrated for his forward-thinking approach to tackle design, Bruce has been instrumental in shaping some of the most iconic products in modern fly fishing—personally designing the original industry award-winning Scientific Anglers Grand Slam and Airflo Tropical Punch fly lines, pioneering his revolutionary saltwater leader systems, and collaborating on the acclaimed Gamakatsu SC17 and SL12S 1XShort fly hooks. Beyond the water, Bruce’s expertise, and influence reach across the global fly-fishing community. He has contributed to acclaimed books, including A Passion for Bonefish, and has been a featured author in many leading fly-fishing magazines—with 19 cover photos to his credit. His work has been showcased in major films such as RISE by Confluence Films and on television programs including The Outfitters, LL Bean’s Guide to the Outdoors, and Seasons on the Fly. As a highly sought-after professional industry speaker, Bruce shares his vast knowledge and experience through more than 30 presentations each year at fly shows, shops, and clubs worldwide. With over three decades of guiding and hosting adventures in more than 20 countries across five continents, Bruce delivers anglers an unmatched combination of elite technical instruction and extensive expertise in the world’s most challenging saltwater environments. This rare blend of exceptional skills and level of experience sets him apart as one of the fly-fishing industry’s most accomplished master instructors, highly respected guides, and one of the most overall experienced adventure travel hosts in the entire fly fishing industry. Having logged over 1,200 days on the Bahamian flats alone—and countless more guiding in the Florida Keys—Bruce also hosts on average 10–13 premier fly-fishing trips annually. His level of travel and guiding expertise is recognized as a top tier Travel Ambassador for Nervous Waters Lodges and an Elite Ambassador Guide for Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures.

THE MACKENZIE CENTER

3111 State Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93105

OPEN INVITATION TO JOIN OUR CLUB!

Our invitation to join is “open” all year long. No need to know a member to be invited into the club. No membership drives. Just email, call or sign-up online and become a member today!

WE EDUCATE AND LOVE NEWBIES TO THE SPORT!

Learn almost everything you need for fly fishing - for just the cost of membership.

OUTINGS ALL YEAR LONG!

The outings have been one of the many "jewels in the crown" for this club. We continue education on the water and the comradery, food and friendship is what this club is built on!

GOT GEAR? . . . NO? — NO WORRIES!

We have gear for you to learn from. Just let the leaders know in advance whether you're coming to the 2nd Salt Saturday - or on a camping/fishing trip. AND when you're ready to purchase fly fishing gear we are here to help -- and/or check out our auctions or club garage sales! Lots of great gear to be had at amazing prices!

Any questions about membership? Email Randy Ward at: sbf.secretary@gmail.com

Fall River Club Outing Report

June 2026

Mark Rockwell, Trip Coordinator

As many now know, Fall River Mills is a long way from Santa Barbara - about 700 miles. The draw - many wild trout (approximately 5-6,000/per mile according to CDFW), many of them quite large - over 18”. In addition to the number of fish, Fall River runs through one of the most beautiful valleys in California.

It is the largest spring creek in California and the west, and as such is a stable, cold stream with supportive water quality to sustain a large and varied population of macro invertebrates & orthoptera (beetles & grass hoppers, etc.).

In addition to its great fishing, the valley offers peace & quiet not often experienced in everyday life, and the night-time sky is so beautiful it is hard to describe.

It’s just a wonderful place to be for a few days, and to experience how wonderful our planet Earth really is. Click on the "button below" to read ALL of Mark's report with images!

MONTANA FLY FISHING. YEEEE-HA! | club member report

Report submitted by club member: Brent Christensen

Noël and I just wrapped up a 12-day Montana trip with Paul and Ginny Kuhn. Noël and Ginny had just attended the Women on the Fly weekend clinic, and it is safe to say they both officially caught the fly-fishing bug.

Noël and Ginny at Kootenai Falls (left)

We spent the first week near Troy, Montana, including several days at Kootenai River Outfitters, followed by four very rainy days in Columbia Falls along the Flathead River. Between a couple of guided float trips on the Kootenai and plenty of DIY exploration, we managed to fish the Kootenaai River, Lake Creek, Bull Lake, the Thompson River, canals off the Flathead, and the lower McDonald River.

Our guided days on the Kootenai were with Kelly, Tony, and Tyson from Kootenai River Outfitters—an excellent operation that we would highly recommend.

The Kootenai gave up a steady mix of rainbows, cutbows, cutthroat, and, of course, a few whitefish. Most fish were in the 12–14-inch range, with several pushing past 16 inches. The cold water made for especially energetic fish, and the rainbows frequently treated us to multiple airborne runs before finally coming to the net.

Fishing was productive throughout the trip despite the absence of any consistently significant hatch activity. We caught fish on nymphs and dries using nearly every approach: Euro nymphing, indicator nymphing, dry-dropper rigs, and straight dry flies. There was one exception—a massive mayfly and drake hatch on the Flathead—but, paradoxically, it did not seem to bring fish to the surface. The persistent rain may have had something to do with it.

The Thompson River was every bit as scenic as advertised and produced my largest fish of the trip: a beautiful brown trout that took at least five minutes to bring to hand. The fight included several strong runs, one near disaster, and—at one point—me falling down in the middle of the river. Fortunately, the fish stayed connected.

The weather caught up with us in Columbia Falls, where sustained rain turned the Flathead into chocolate milk. It actually shut down Glacier Nat’l Park but did not entirely shut down the fishing. The short stretch of the McDonald River between Lake McDonald and its confluence with the Flathead remained crystal clear and was still holding fish. Rain limited our time on the water there, but it gave us a good excuse to spend more time hiking in Glacier National Park. We even saw a bear calmly licking up what appeared to be a dropped snack from the pavement—a memorable reminder to keep food secured in bear country.

Overall, it was a terrific trip: beautiful rivers, plenty of willing trout, great guides, and two new fly anglers who are already looking forward to the next outing.

Report & images provided by club member Brent Christensen. Thank you!

Channel Islands saturday, July 11

Join Santa Barbara Fly Fishers and Sespe Fly Fishers for a thrilling day aboard the Island Tak, exploring the Santa Barbara Channel near the Channel Islands. Chase feisty coastal species amid sweeping ocean vistas on this unforgettable adventure.

Sign up at the Outings Page on the website and contact host Vince Narez if you have questions: vjnarez@gmail.com

troy meadows outing

July 23 - 26, 2026 / Thurs-Sunday

Escape to Troy Meadows in the Sierra National Forest for a fly fishing and camping adventure.

Cast to rainbow, golden, and brook trout amid alpine meadows, cool mountain air, and peaceful wilderness perfect for a refreshing outdoor getaway.

Sign up at the Outings Page on the website and contact host Lori Lee Collins if you have questions: lorilee.collins@gmail.com

LAKE CACHUMA

MONTHLY FISHING REPORT

* * *

"LEW'S SCHOOL"

"Can’t say the fishing is wide open but it sure is fun . . ."

Fished the lake on the 1st and found little top water bite going on and the shad action not around as was earlier in June.   However last year the Shad showed up  all over the place into July. There is always hope and reason for a keen eye for feeding birds and shimmering water.  

The surface water temps are starting out at 70 and climbing several degrees during the day.   Generally cooler and clearer down by the dam end.  

Bass on the smaller size can be had along the shore doing the usual cast in and strip out to deeper water using minnow patterns on a sink tip or intermediate line.   

The bluegill and redear are abundant this year and can be found in the back of coves that have  creek channel deltas providing some sort of flat.  Not easy places to get a boat into but larger sunfish are holding on beds.  Look for circular depressions about 1 foot in diameter.   They will go after caddis like flies with legs most readily.  

The black Pine Squirrel Leech is an option if you want to get larger fish since the smaller guys don’t get hooked very easy with this type of pattern. Dragon fly nymphs are a hot item as well.   

The bass hanging around and will take some interest in these larger offerings too.  The bite seems best mid day and is a good move as the afternoon onshore winds pick up.  This is visual fishing in shallow water. These guys are a hoot to work and fight like the dickens challenging all your skills. Better than a stick in the eye which you risk getting back into their holding water.

Lew Riffle, past president

* * *

"THE DOC'S IN"

Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer . . .

Cachuma lake is in its summer mode. Early morning, late evening top water fishing is just ok, with smaller poppers or divers working around stickups.

Mid morning to mid afternoons sinking lines in deeper water using white or chartreuse minnow patterns.

The fish seem to be following bait schools, and are if you can find a shallow group of bait, fishing can be  brisk.

The lake is beautiful, and it is just a pleasure to have a day on the water.

Ted "Doc" Ceder - Casting Director & more!

WIND RIVEr, WYOMING HORSEPACK TRIP

Hi everyone, We’re excited to offer a truly unforgettable backcountry adventure this summer — 4 days and 5 nights in the Wind River Range, targeting trophy goldens, brookies, browns, and rainbows in pristine high‑country water.

📅 Trip Dates

August 25–29

🐎 Getting There

Travel by horseback with mules packing your gear. It’s a 6‑hour ride each way into the high country — a true wilderness experience.

🌄 The Wind Rivers

You’ll explore:

• Miles of clear mountain streams
• Meadow stretches
• Pocket water
• Alpine lakes at 10,000 feet

🧭 What’s Included

Provided by Sweetwater Fishing Expeditions:

• All meals
• Camp cooking & cleaning
• Transportation
• Full guide support

🎒 What You’ll Need to Bring

• Fishing gear
• Sleeping bag & personal gear
• Transportation to Lander, WY
• Wyoming fishing license

💰 Cost

$5,200 (includes gratuity) Does not include transportation or lodging before/after the trip.

🎣 Space Is Limited

This is a true Bucket List trip with very limited spots available.

📬 Interested?

Contact Jorge Fulco JDfulcosb@gmail.com